The format for gerunds is that they always end in -ing.
Examples: Swimming is fun.
Writing can be harder than reading.
Note: It should be noted that present participle also ends with -ing.
Examples: I was watching TV when the postman came to deliver the parcel.
I will be teaching English in my new school.
What is the difference between a gerund and a present participle?
You can differentiate between the gerund and the present participle as follows:
1. Gerunds function as nouns.
2. Gerunds can be a subject, direct objects, indirect objects, and objects of prepositions.
3. Present participles, on the other hand, complete progressive verbs or act as modifiers.
Examples of gerund:
Cycling is fun. (subject)
I like cycling. (direct object)
He gives painting all his time. (indirect object)
He has devoted all his life to painting. (object of the preposition to)
Examples of present participle:
They were talking when the bell rang. (talking is a present participle which is part of the past progressive tense "were talking")
I bought a colouring book. (colouring is a present participle modifying book)
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